"A" graded cards...."A" for Affordable and Awesome (sometimes)....Show us your A's

[tedzan]

As most of you know....I'm NO fan of GRADED cards. Nonetheless, I will acquire an "A" graded card, especially if it is the final card I need to complete a set (or sub-set).
I have been a serious SET collector for 44 years. I've completed major (and some minor) BB, FB, etc. sets from 1887 - 1987. Included in these sets are "A" graded cards.

Enough said....let's hear your thoughts regarding "A" graded cards ? Do you avoid them ? Or, are these cards acceptable in your collections ?

Threads like this are more interesting when we show-off our cards, so let's see some of your A's.

I wll start this show with 3 examples of my better acquisitions, better because I either paid very
reasonable $$ for them. Or, I made a very reasonable cash/trade deal for them...…


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TED Z

T206 Reference
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[x2drich2000]

I have no problem with getting A cards. At different times I've purchased them when I could not afford the card in a higher grade, the card is rare/unique, or even when the card just simply still looks good.

My first Cobb


a unique mathewson


and well they are Wagner

[ajquigs]

These two are ‘A’ for Affordable. I’m quite happy with both.

[RCMcKenzie]

Mathewson...

[Cozumeleno]

Crappy scans, nice nice looking cards.

[Brian Van Horn]

I usually don't buy "A" graded cards, but:

[LOUCARDFAN]

One of my favorites A’s and to top it off, it's not trimmed.

Attachment 391660

Attachment 391661


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[Jerry G]

Grateful to have this Cobb.

[BeanTown]

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[BabyRuth]

a few nice "A"s

[GeoPoto]

https://net54baseball.com/attachment...1&d=1585651011
https://net54baseball.com/attachment...1&d=1585651019

[sportscardpete]

nice cards anyone! this is one is an "A", from REA, but there was no evidence of trimming..


860-1915-e145-cracker-jack-103-joe-jackson.jpg

[yanks87]

[T206Collector]

[GasHouseGang]

Could only afford it as an A.

[jchcollins]

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[t213]

here's one

Andy

[tedzan]

Chet Hoff is one tuff T207 to find, and this "A" card fits perfectly into my NY Yankees collection. And the price was right.


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TED Z

T206 Reference
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[GeoPoto]

Al Orth had an interesting career. Known as the "Curveless Wonder" because he wouldn't throw the curve, he pitched well enough to figure in 393 decisions in 15 MLB seasons, including leading MLB in wins in 1906. He also had 464 hits. He umpired when necessary as a player and once umpired and pinch hit in the same game. After his playing days were over, he became a full-time MLB umpire and in 1917 was the umpire when Toney and Vaughn each pitched 9 innings of no-hit baseball, the only time it has happened.
https://net54baseball.com/attachment...1&d=1585679385
https://net54baseball.com/attachment...1&d=1585679398
https://net54baseball.com/attachment...1&d=1585679410

[fkm_bky]

No issue for me, especially to fill out a type card at a cost effective level. Great cards guys!

Bill

[thecomebacker]

No problem at all with A’s.
Especially when they are all hand-cut in the first place.

[tedzan]

And, I don't want to forget these two St. Louis guys. It's not often you see Demmitt & O'Hara looking as nice as these two.


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TED Z

T206 Reference
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[Jason19th]

Three Cubans who played in the majors. The Viola has back damage, not really sure why the other two are A’s

[tedzan]

My favorite T206 Minor Leaguer...Frank Delehanty. The youngest of the five Delehanty brothers in Baseball.
On display here is my AMERICAN BEAUTY - BROAD LEAF - CYCLE - DRUM (A-B-C-D) connection. His DRUM
card shown here is the only one known. It was originally in an "A" holder. But, I cracked it open.


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TED Z

T206 Reference
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[the-illini]

I will buy OJ's like this from anyone who doesn't like the A grade!

[cardsagain74]

I'm in the minority, but A is "avoid" for me. Especially since it's just post-war stuff.

Even though an A card is obviously authentic, knowing that it's been intentionally altered really takes away from that genuine, vintage feel of it. I know that isn't the most logical line of reasoning, but this is a rare time when I'm ok with not being quite rational

So from a collecting standpoint, I'd prefer a grade 1 to an 10-looking A every time.

[tedzan]

A couple of rare T206 "scraps"....Doolan and Donlin.

With this card, my Doolan run will be complete when I find the BROAD LEAF 350 card of him.

My Donlin run is a work-in-progress.


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TED Z

T206 Reference
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[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by the-illini

I will buy OJ's like this from anyone who doesn't like the A grade!

Pretty sure a lot of 1s-3s can be trimmed real nice to make great As. I guess you pay for the work when you see As go for more than 1s and 2s but its not secret work .

[brianp-beme]

I have some 'A' graded cards, but I have spent my collecting life acquiring a lot in that condition before they had a chance to shuffle off to plastic clampdown land.

Brian (how do you like my George Connally card?)

[68Hawk]

Love 'A' cards.....reckon they just have more stories to tell....

[cubman1941]

I'm just an old Cub collector who doesn't deep pockets so A cards don't bother me at all.

[tedzan]

Two "Awesome" looking Wagner's from my E90-1 set, which were very "Affordable" when I acquired them simply because of their "A" grade.....


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TED Z

T206 Reference
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[tedzan]

Jerry Upp is in that last tough series of the E90-1 set, so I was quite happy to find this one.






TED Z

T206 Reference
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[MULLINS5]

Plenty available in any PWCC auction.

[tedzan]

One of the "rough" cards in my all - PIEDMONT set was Joss. I recently replaced that card with this beauty.






TED Z

T206 Reference
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[Chris Counts]

I prefer SGC cards to others in slabs because they're so easy to bust out. I can't imagine paying extra for a high graded card because so many of them are trimmed. If I'm going to have trimmed cards, they might as well be affordable ones. By the way, the Tattoo Orbit Grove came from Lionel Carter's collection, which seems like proof that the trimmers go way back.

[tedzan]

Originally Posted by Chris Counts

I prefer SGC cards to others in slabs because they're so easy to bust out. I can't imagine paying extra for a high graded card because so many of them are trimmed. If I'm going to have trimmed cards, they might as well be affordable ones. By the way, the Tattoo Orbit Grove came from Lionel Carter's collection, which seems like proof that the trimmers go way back.

Hi Chris

Love your post....and, very well said.

And, I completely agree with you on the ease of cracking open SGC holders.

Here's my array of "flips".....this display is just a tiny example of the number of flips floating around in my archives.





TED Z

T206 Reference
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[ksfarmboy]

Brian I just noticed your Thorpe. Good color match on it.

[brianp-beme]

Originally Posted by ksfarmboy

Brian I just noticed your Thorpe. Good color match on it.

It does blend in fairly well, but if I had a 33 Goudey Connally with a little more surface dirt it might have been almost undetectable without looking twice.

Brian

[I Only Smoke 4 the Cards]

Love this "A"ffordable beauty.

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[Baseballcrazy62]

Great thread. Forgot I had this one.
A9C1C18C-3ECF-45D4-B344-2A423A2DF775.jpg

[tedzan]

The only way is an "A" for this rare gem.







TED Z

T206 Reference
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[pherbener]

A's are ok with me,

[jerrys]

n300anson.jpg

[GregZakwin]

[tedzan]

I acquired the "A" graded Walter Johnson years ago when I started on my all - PIEDMONT set.
Subsequently, made a trade for the WJ in the center, and sold the "A" WJ to a good ole buddy.



TED Z

T206 Reference
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[tedzan]

Double post.

[tedzan]

My Schulte Blank-Back card. Although SGC refused to label it as such. Outside of its plastic, it is obvious that this card is NOT "skinned".
However, it does have a spot of paper loss in the upper left corner
I may crack it out and re-submit it.


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TED Z

T206 Reference
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[tedzan]

Those of you, who are serous collectors of 1949 BOWMAN's are familiar with how tough this variation card is (the yellow version).

The Slate (color error) version of it shown here is considerably scarcer than the regular version. I am pleased to have an "A" of it.


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TED Z

T206 Reference
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[tedzan]

TED Z

T206 Reference
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